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 | Although the Jewish year is filled with wonderful holidays in abundance several times a year – six to be precise – we fast. Some people find fasting quite arduous, so there are some pointers that can help ease the fast-related hunger pangs.
30 Comments Posted
Anyone who spends a week preparing for the fast is so food-obssesed that s/he is going to have a dificult fast no matter what they do!
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This article was a timely and an excellent example of the type of information that is exceedingly helpful to those of use who often struggle unnecessarily with this tradition.
It would be wonderful if a post-fast article were written, with contributions from readers (especially women who have to contend with the effects of this period on them, as well as their family members - i.e. children and elderly) as to their feelings, emotions, and experiences - before, during, and following this solemn and introspective period.
Thank you for providing such insightful and inspiring materials for your readership!
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Thanks for the helpful article. Full of great ideas and practical, and usable tips!
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an excellent and informative article.
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Thank you for this advice which I find very informative, and I am sure will be helpful to me during my fasting, and break-fast, as I shall follow the suggestions offered here in the article.
My husband, Marcel, of blessed memory, always wanted a BIG meal before fasting and I gave it to him. (And he walked miles to and from Chabad of Northridge even while on chemo.) Guess I'll eat my salty kosher chicken breast for lunch today, not dinner, and I am already hydrating myself!
The funny thing that I am always aware of by Yom Kippur afternoon is that I never experience hunger pains during fasting because I am always filled on Yom Kippur with loving prayer to our Creator, Ha Kodush Boruch Hu.
Have a meaningful fast and a sweet good new year. Gmar Chatima Tova
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Wow I have yet to find an article that covers as many tips for easing a fast as this one. As the day approaches for a fast, espcailly Yom Kippur I get so nervous not only because of the importance of this day but because I have a horrible time during AND after the fast. I really apprecaite all this useful tips and I feel much more at ease going into the fast!
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Thank U so much for this nice article...
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I would like to see Chabad.org create a special segment devoted to tips, suggestions, and recipies devoted to people with diabetes and fasting during holidays such as Yom Kippur. Diabetes is one of the major chronic medical problems in the U.S., and it would be nice for readers to use any valuable information concerning this condition!
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Great tips. I'll have to give them a try.
I agree with the post above. Tips for people with medical conditions would be really nice to see.
I don't have diabetes but I do have blood sugar problems if I don't eat. (hypoglycemic? I think that is what they call it.)
Fasts are very difficult for me. I have only made it through the whole day twice before and each time I was more focused on not collapsing (I get dizzy and tend to black out) than anything else.
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I once heard that the meal after the yom kippur fast is one of the main things that your parnassah (material wealth) of the coming year is based on: the more lavish the meal - the more abundant your parnassah . L'chaim to a healthy wealthy new year!!!
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Thank you very much. I usually fast pretty well during the school year. but when I work at camp it is hard on me.
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You mention four fast related to the temples destruction but describe only three...further...I went to the Rabbinical College of America (Lubavitch/Morristown) and we were taught NOT to wish an easy fast...rather a fast should be felt and move us to reach higher spiritual levels...
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I used to taper caffeine as recommended in this article. However, it only made me feel miserable for several days prior to the fast. I then looked up the half life of caffeine a few years ago. The half life is about 5-6 hours. Since then I have developed the habit of tanking up on coffee before the fast. I now have very easy fasts.
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its amazing that most ppl dont really know how to prepare for a fast (including myself)
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I tried doing as the article suggested, and it eased my fast a lot! I wasn't even in the least hungry the last few houres of the fast. But in the morning, I eat breakfast different times, and I felt my stomach churning very often, and didn't feel good at all, any suggestions on that? Thank you!
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drink lots of malt (black beer with out alcohol). It is very nutricious (the diet also) and you won't feel thirsty.
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Thank you for the tips.
It's more than 24 hours away and I already have a headache and acid reflux :-)
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What meals should be eaten the day before?
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This is extremely helpful. Thank you so much.
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Thank You very much for such a good advice. May your name be sealed in The Book. Have a blessed Yom Kippur.!!
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I'm certainly no dietician, but my understanding of simple carbohydrates, like white pasta, is that it tends to make you hungrier faster.
Pasta or white potatoes quickly get processed because they lack fiber. The sudden increase in blood sugar stimulates the pancreas to over-produce insulin, which in turn reduces the blood sugar level causing you to feel hungry again.
I will be eating a high-protein, fiber rich meal of fish and sauteed vegetables tonight. The fiber causes the body to feel full longer because the stomach has to break it down. See the fourth paragraph of this weight-loss article: www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_fiber.php
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You do not say what to do for people who must take several essential medicines every day. Can they take them? Can they use water to ease swallowing? What of some vital drug which must be taken with food? do you ask your doctor, as well as a rabbi? Thank you very much for your accessible and lucid writing.
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Yom Kippur is a very serious event in Jewish life. Nevertheless, we do all we can to preserve human life, and yes, even if that means breaking the fast. However, with due diligence and the right advice, this can often be avoided.
Most medicines can be swallowed on a one time basis without water. Swallowing a medicine in this way is not considered eating and is permissible without question. In cases where swallowing in this way is not possible, a patch or suppository can be substituted. Consult your doctor (or a friendly, knowledgeable pharmacist) for advice.
If you do need liquid, and there is a mortal danger involved, you can use less than an fluid ounce at a time. Since each case is different, an expert rabbi should be consulted along with your doctor.
If you do need to eat, please read <co:link aid="528963"> What is the procedure for one who must eat on Yom Kippur?</co:link>
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The Fast Of Esther is to commemorate the fast that Esther fasted when the jews went to war on Purim. Usually before a war all the men would not fast as they had to prepare to fight while the women did fast. howerver on purim, the decree was for everybody, therefore the only person who did not have to fight, was Esther. That is wy it is called the fast of Esther. (Also, how can a three day fast in NIssan have any connection to a one day fast in adar?)
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I find that as well as following all the above tips on preparing physically before the fast, focussing on the meaning of the major fasts is a huge help. For example on TishaB'Av when I think of the people starving in the concentration camps I almost feel guilty about my hunger pangs - what is one day without food knowing I can look forward to eating whatever I want at the end compared to their not knowing when their next morsel would come. Reading or watching something about the hardships other Jews have had to endure can help us endure 25 hrs.
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by taking on the day before herbal pills like "Kal Lizom" or "Zom Kal" to be obtained in certain pharmacies or health food stores. I used to have terrible migrane, which has completely disappeared since I take these pills.
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After years of trying different things, we found that the best pre-fast day eating is to have a protein meal as the pre-pre-fast meal (meat is beside the point for the Nine Days, but there's always fish), and then have a relatively light and carbohydrate-based meal just before the fast.
Also, while cutting back on coffee may not do much for one's mood the days before, we've found that it does pay off on the actual fast day.
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so be it thank G*d we are not in Iraq or Afghanistan and just be grateful we are alive.
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